Electric alarm.



P. A. BROWN. ELECTRIC ALARM. APPLICATION FILED 31:21. 22, 1908.

1,004,740. Patented 0011.3,1911.

4 SHEETB-BHEET a 1 m d 4 a w 3 :IIIJ W r 7 Q o COLUMBIA PLANDCIRAPH Cm.WASHINGTON, D. C.

P. A. BROWN. ELECTRIC ALARM. APILIUATION FILED BBPT.22,190B.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P. A. BROWN.

ELECTRIC ALARM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22,190B.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PMNOORAPH cm. WASHINGTON, n c.

P. A, BROWN. ELECTRIC ALARM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1908. 1,004,740.

4 BHEETS-BHEET 4.

COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH cu Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

PEABODY A. BROW'N, 0F DENVER, COLORADO.

ELECTRIC All-ABET.

oomao.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 22, 1908.

Patented Get. 3, 1911.

Serial No. 454,273.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PEABODY A. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Alarms; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrically operated alarms,being more especially intended for use in small cities or. towns havingno regular fire department, and which are therefore obliged to rely uponvolunteer service.

An important feature of my improved construction consists in providing amaga-' zine containing cartridges adapted to be exploded through theinstrumentality of a spark coil, through which the electric current ispassed, by operating a call-box either through human agency orautomatically, as may be desired. In my improved construction asdisclosed in the drawing, no means are illustrated for automaticallyoperating the alarm. It is evident, however, that this may be donethermostatically, if desired. Furthermore, in my improved construction,provision is made whereby any desired number of cartridges may beexploded at one operation of the alarm mechanism. Moreover, theexplosions are so arranged and timed as to indicate the number of thecallbox from which the alarm is given, or where the initial operationtakes place. Hence, in a town or small city, assuming that the magazineof cartridges is centrally located, the entire population may beapprised, not only of the fire but of its location.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating myimproved firealarm system. Fig. 2 illustrates the operating mechanismwhich may be located in a box suitably mounted in any desired location.Fig. 3 is a view showing one side of the mechanism, also the circuitwires connecting the various contacts with the cartridges of themagazine, the latter, however, not being shown in this view. Fig. 6 is atop plan View of the magazine shown mounted upon a pole, the latterbeing shown in section taken on the line 6-6 Fig. 2. Fig. 7 isan edgeview of the same, or a view looking in the direction of arrow 7 Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken through themagazine cutting one of the cartridges longitudinally. Fig. 9 is asimilar view showing the parts in difierent relative positions. Fig. 10is a detail view on a larger scale illustrating a disk and metallicbrush which, it may be assumed, forms a part of the mechanism in thecallboxes 25. This construction is simply conventional for the purposeof explaining the manner of producing a predetermined number ofexplosions by the operation of any callbox, whereby the number of thebox may be indicated by the variation of intervals between explosions.Fig. 11 is a detail View of the induction coil 45.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a disk composed of insulating material, andprovided with an opening 6 in which is located operating mechanism ofthe clock-works orcer. This mechanism comprises a rectangular frame 7,and a train of wheels 8 actuated by a spring 9. One of these wheels is apinion 10 carrying an arm 12. The spring 9 is normally under tension andhas a tendency to actuate the arm 12 which is normally locked againstmovement by a hook-shaped armature 13 of an electromagnet 14, mountedupon the disk 5 and whose terminals are respectively connected withconductors 15 and 16. The conductor 15 leads to a contact 17 locatedadjacent the armature 18 of an electro-magnet 19 whose terminals arerespectively connected by means of conductors 20 and 21 with the poles22 and 23 of an electrical source 24. The conductors 20 and 21, togetherwith the source 24, constitute the main circuit of the system in whichare located any desired number of call-boxes 25. This main circuit isnormally closed and the armature 18 is therefore normally held incontact with the magnet 19 being thereby separated from the contact 17.The armature 18 is connected by means of a conductor 26 with a pole 27of an electrical source 28. The conductor 16 leads from one terminal ofthe magnet 14 to a magnet 29 having an armature 30 normally inengagement with a contact 31 from which leads a conductor 32, itsextremity remote from the contact 31 being connected with the metallicpart of the clock mechanism 33 as shown at 34. A conductor 35 leads fromthe armature 30 to the pole 27 of the electrical source 28. From theterminal of the magnet 29 0pposite that with which the conductor 16 isconnected, leads a conductor 36 to a magnet 37 whose armature 38 isnormally disengaged from the magnet and also separated from a contact 39connected with a conductor 40 one extremity of which is connected with apole 41 of an electrical source 42, while its opposite extremity leadsto the brush A which is mounted on the insulated disk 5 and held inelectrical contact with the sleeve B of the arm 84.

From the armature 38 leads a conductor 44 to aspark coil 45 which isconnected by a conductor 46 with a pole 47 of the elect-rical source 42.Also leading from the spark coil 45 is a conductor 48 whose extremityremote from the said coil is connected with the frame 49 of the magazine64, as shown at 50.

From the terminal of the magnet 37 opposite that with which theconductor 36 is connected, leads a conductor 51 to one extremity of amagnet 52 from whose opposite extremity leads a conductor 53 to aconductor 54. From the armature 55 of the magnet 52, leads a conductor56 whose extremity remote from the armature 55 is connected as shown at57 ,with. the conductor35.

Located adjacent the armature 55, is a contact 58 from which leads aconductor 59 to a binding post 60 of an electric bell 61. From a post 62of the bell, the conductor 54 leads to a pole 63 of the electricalsource 28. As shown in the drawing, the magazine 64 is composed of aframe-work or body part 49 and a cover 65 hinged to the body part asshown at 66, the latter being provided with upwardly projecting cars 67for the purpose. The extremity of the cover remote from the hingingaxis, is provided with depending lugs 4 through which screws 68 arepassed and threaded into the body of the magazine whereby the cover isheld securely in place in operative relation with the body of themagazine. The body of the magazine is provided wit-h openings 69 adaptedto receive cartridges 70 having shells or cases 71, containing powder72, held in place by a plug 73. The upper extremity of the cartridge issurrounded by a metal rim 74 having a pin 75 whose upper extremity isexposedat the top of the cartridge. This pin passes through thereinforced top part of the case, its lower extremity projecting into aquantity 76 of smokeless powder. It is preferred that the upper portionof the contents of the cartridge where the spark is produced, shouldcontain smokeless powder, since it is found by experiment to facilitatethe ignition of thepowder contents 72 which forms the principal portionof the explosive material. From the metallic rim 74 a wire 77 leadsthrough the top of the cartridge, its inner extremity being hook-shaped,as shown at 78, and occupying a position close to the inner extremity 79 of the pin 75. The wire and the pin, however, are separated by anarrow space resulting in a spark, when the electrical circuit in whichthey are located is otherwise closed. It must be understood that thebody 49 of the magazine is composed of metal and it will be rememberedthat the conductor 48 leads thereto from the sparking plug.

Embedded in the cover 65 of the magazine is a wire coil 80 which isseparated from the metallic part of the cover by insulating material 81.hen the cover is closed the lower extremity of this coil 80 forms a goodcontact with the top of the pin 75. The upper extremity of the said coilmerges into a conductor 82 which leads to a metallic contact 83 mountedupon the insulating disk 5. There is a contact 83 upon this disk foreach cartridge in the magazine 64, and these contacts are arranged uponthe disk in a circle and at regular intervals, all of the said contactslying in the path of the upper extremity of an arm 84 whose innerextremity is connected with the main arbor 43 of the clock mechanism.This clock mechanism, so-called in this specification, consists simplyof a spring actuated train of gears which when the spring is wound up,would be in mot-ion unless locked against movement. In the mechanismshown the armature 13 of the magnet 14 normally forms a stop which locksthe gears against movement through the instrumentality of the arm 12,which being made fast to the spindle of one of the gears, rotatestherewith. \Vhen this arm 12 is released by'the movement of the armature13 toward the magnet 14 due to the energizing of the latter, the arm 12moves until it reaches an armature 85 of a magnet 86 also mounted uponthe insulating disk 5. From one extremity of this armature a conductor87 leads to one terminal of the magnet 86, while from the oppositeterminal leads a conductor 88 to the conductor 54.

In the operation of the mechanism the armature 13 is first actuated torelease the arm 12 when the clock mechanism moves under the influence ofits spring until the arm 12 engages the armature 85 which forms atemporary check to the movement of the clock mechanism and consequentlyto the movement of the arm or hand 84, which it is assumed travels abouthalf the distance between the two contacts 83 while the arm 12 is movingfrom one armature to the other. Practically as soon as the arm 12 comesin contact with the armature 85 the magnet 86 is energized and acts uponthe armature 85 to move the latter sufficiently to allow the arm 12 tocontinue its movement until it makes a complete rotation and againencounters the armature 13 which has returned to its normal position byvirtue of the deenergizing of the magnet 14. During this circuit the arm84 moves from one contact 83 to another.

By virtue of my improved mechanism, any desired number of cartridges maybe exploded at a single operation and these eX plosions will indicate tothe surrounding inhabitants, the location of the fire, since theexplosions indicate the number of the callboX, the latter presumablybeing in the vicinity of the conflagration.

As heretofore explained, all of the callboXes 25 are connected inoperative relation with the main circuit or that composed of theconductors 20 and 21 and the electrical source 241. The mechanism ofeach call-box is of ordinary character, but it may be assumed, for thepurposes of this specification, that as the lever 89 of the call-boXis-pulled, a disk 90 (see Fig. 10) is moved to break the contact betweenthe disk and a metallic brush 91, the said disk being provided withrecesses 92 and parts 93, 94 and 95 between these recesses.

From what has been stated heretofore, it will be understood that themain circuit composed of the conductors 20 and 21 and the source 24, isnormally closed, whereby the magnet 19 is energized and its armature 18held away from the cont-act l7. Assuming that the arm 89 of the call-boxis moved and a corresponding movement imparted to the disk 90, wherebythe brush 91 becomes disengaged from the disk, it will be understoodthat the main circuit is broken, and the magnet 19 deenergized allowingthe armature 18 to drop from engagement with the contact 17, and in thisevent the current passes from the poles 27 of the electrical source 28through the conductor 26, the armature 18, the contact 17 and theconductor 15 to the magnet 14, which, being energized, actuates thearmature 13 sufficiently to disengage the arm 12 allowing the latter tomove from the armature 13 to the armature 85. At. the same time thecurrent passes through the conductor 16 to the magnet 29 energizing thelatter and moving the armature 30 away from the contact 31. The currentalso passes simultaneously through the conductor 36 to the magnet 37whereby the latter is energized and its armature 38 moves sufficientlyto bring it into engagement with the contact 39, thus closing thecircuit in which the spark coil 45 is located. From the magnet 37 thecurrent passes simultaneously with its passage to the magnets 141, 29and 37, to the magnet 52 which, being energized, acts upon its armature55 to bring the latter into engagement with the contact 58, thus closingthe circuit in which the bell 61 is located.

From what has been already said, it will be understood that during thebreak in the main circuit due to the movement of the lever 89 of thecall-box 25, all of the magnets 1-1, 29, 37 and 52 will be energizedwhile the magnet 86 will be denergized, since the armature 30 is a partof the circuit in which the last named magnet is located and thisarmature is separated from the contact 31. It may be stated that, inorder to complete the circuit of the magnet 86, the current may be saidto pass from the pole 27 of the source 28, through the conductor 35, thearmature 30, the conductor 32, to the clock mechanism, and from the arm12 when in the dotted line position (see Fig. 1) through the armature 85and the conductor 87 to the magnet, and thence through the conductor 88to the conductor 51 and finally to the opposite pole 63 of the source28, thus the arm 81 will be caused to travel by virtue of the clockmechanism to an intermediate position between the two contacts 83. Assoon, however, as the main circuit has been closed, due to the bringingof one of the metallic parts 93, 94, or 95 into engagement with thebrush 91, the armature 18 is moved away from the contact 17, thusbreaking the circuit through all of the magnets 14, 29, 37 and 52, butclosing it through the magnet 86 since as soon as the magnet 29 isdeenergized, its armature 30 returns to its normal position (presumablyunder the influence of a spring not shown), in engagement with thecontact 31. Hence the magnet 86 being energized, its armature 85 ismoved sufliciently to release the arm 12 which, being in the dotted lineposition, (see Fig. 1) is allowed to continue its circuit or until itcomes in contact with the armature l3. During this movement of the arm12 from the armature 85 to the armature 13, it is assumed that the clockmechanism has moved 'sutficiently to cause the arm 84: to travel broken,and during this last break the operation hereto-fore described isrepeated, al lowing the arm 84 to engage the next contact 83. Thesparking circuit is then completed through one of the cartridges, andthe latter exploded. This circuit may be indicated as follows: Startingfrom the pole 47 of the battery 42, the current may be said to passthrough the spark coil 45 and the conductor 48 to the body 49 of themagazine 64 and from this body part through the wire 77 into the powdercontents of the cartridge, a spark being produced as the current ispassing from the extremity 76 of the wire to the pin 75. The circuit iscompleted from this pin through the wire coil 80, the conductor 82, thecontact 83 the arm 84, its sleeve B, the bush A, and the conductor 40which leads to the opposite pole of the source 42. The circuit of theprimary coil is completed through conductor 46, leading from pole 47 ofthe battery 42, spark coil 45, conductor 44, armature 38, contact 39,and conductor 40, to the opposite pole 41 of the battery 42, the inducedcurrent being produced in harmony with the primary current during themake-andbreak of the primary circuit by the motion of the armature'38.

If it is necessary, or if the number of the particular call-box 25 issuch as to require it, there may be several cartridges exploded forevery movement of the arm 89 of the call-box; and in this event, it willbe understood from what has just been explained, that the arm 84 will bemoved by the clock mechanism during the periods that the main circuit inwhich the magnet is located, is interrupted or broken, the said arm 84being interrupted in its movement every time the continuity of the maincircuit is restored.

In order that all of the cartridges c011- tained in the magazine may notbe exploded before the magazine is replenished, provision is made forindicating the fact that the magazine is approaehng depletion, the saidmechanism serving to announce this fact by operating a buzzer, or otherelectric alarm, located within the hearing of the person whose businessit is to replenish the magazine, when the arm 84 has completed anypredetermined portion of its circuit. In order to accomplish thisobject, an electrical source 96 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is provided. Thepole 97 of this source is con nected by means of a conductor 98 with apart 99 of the clock mechanism, the said part being stationary but inelectrical contact with a movable part 100 of the mechanism, the lastnamed part carrying a spring 101 adapted to engage a metal part 102which is connected by means of a conductor 103 with an alarm 104 fromwhich leads a conductor 105 to the opposite pole 106 of the electricalsource 96. It must be understood that the spring arm 101 is so connectedwith the clock mechanism that it travels with the arbor 43 upon whichthe arm 84 is mounted. Hence, it will be understood that the parts 101and 102 may be so arranged as to close the circuit through the alarm 104when the arm 84 has reached any predetermined part of its circuit.

As illustrated in the drawing, the operating parts of the mechanism maybe mounted in a box or casing 107, which may be mounted upon a pole 108at any desired distance from the ground. The cartridge magazine 4 asshown in the drawing, is rigidly secured to the said pole, the body ofthe magazine being provided with a bracket 109 which is preferablyshaped to fit the curved surface of the pole. Bolts 110 are passedthrough registering openings formed in the pole and bracket, whereby themagazine is securely held in place. It is important to have the magazinewell secured, in order that the vibrations due to the explosion of thecartridges may not loosen the magazine or shake it from its support.

In order to prevent possible injury from concussion to persons who maybe standing in the vicinity of the magazine when the explosion takesplace, an inclined plate 111 is secured at one extremity to the pole,the plate passing underneath the magazine, whereby the vibrations of theatmosphere, due to the explosion, are deflected and their forcedissipated. This inclined plate also serves as a deflecting device forthe debris resulting from the explosion of the cartridges, to preventtheir accumulation directly underneath the magazine.

The disk carrying the clock mechanism, together with the magnets 19, 29,37 and 52, together with the spark coil and the sources of electricitydesignated 28 and 42, are mounted in a casing 112 supported within thebox 107 by means of springs 113 whichconnect the said casing to upperand lower cross-pieces 114 and 115 of the box. These springs areemployed to relieve the mechanism from the vibrations due to theexplosion of the cartridges. This construction and arrangement makes itpracticable to confine the entire apparatus within a comparatively smallspace. Furthermore, it is fully protected from the weather and also frominjury by evilly disposed or unauthorized persons.

The reason for interrupting the movement of the spring-actuated arm 84between two contacts 83, is to prevent the possible movement of the armby virtue of its inertia or momentum, farther than is necessary. Inother words, if it were not for the interruption produced by thearmature 85 to the movement of the arm 12, the arm or hand 84 might movea sufficient distance to cause it to engage a number of contacts 83,whereby a corresponding number of explosions would be produced, the saidnumber being greater than is desired or intended as a result of theoperation of a given call-box.

For the purposes of this application it is assumed that the armatures ofthe various electro magnets are normally spring held in a position awayfrom the magnets, and that their movement under the influence of thespring is limited. It is not considered necessary to illustrate thesefeatures in the drawing since these characteristics of the element inquestion are common in electrical appliances.

After the cartridges have been exploded, or whenever it may be necessaryto replenish the magazine, the screws 68 are removed, and the lid islifted. The body of the magazine is thus exposed at the top, and thecartridge openings may be readily supplied.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an alarm mechanism, the combination of a magazine cartridgelocated therein, a spark coil and a plurality of spark coil circuits inwhich the cartridges are respectively located, the said circuits beingadapted to be electrically connected with the spark coil, and aspring-actuated device for closing the spark coil circuits through thecartridges of the magazines successively, substantially as described.

2. Alarm mechanism, comprising a cartridge magazine, a spark coil, aplurality of spark coil circuits in which the cartridges of the magazineare respectively located, the said circuits being adapted to beelectrically connected with the spark coil, a spring-actuated device forclosing the said circuits through the cartridges of the magazinesuccessively, and means for normally locking the said device againstmovement.

3. Alarm mechanism, comprising a magazine containing powder cartridges,a spark coil, a plurality of spark coil circuits in which the cartridgesare respectively located, the said circuits being adapted to beelectrically connected with the spark coil, a spring-actuated device forclosing the said circuits through the said cartridges respectively,means for locking the said device against movement, and electro-magneticmeans for releasing the locking mechanism, substantially as described.

4:. Alarm mechanism comprising a main circuit, call-boxes locatedtherein, a magazine containing cartridges, a plurality of electriccircuits in which the cartridges are respectively located, the circuitsbeing interrupted within each cartridge to produce a spark for ignitionpurposes when the circuit is closed therethrough, and a suitableconnection between the call-box and the spark circuits whereby as theformer is broken, the latter is closed.

5. The combination with a normally closed main circuit having call boxeslocated therein, of a magazine containing cartridges, a spark coil, aplurality of spark coil circuits in which the cartridges arerespectively located, the said circuits being adapted to be electricallyconnected with the spark coil, and a suitable connection between thecall box circuit and the spark coil circuits, whereby as the call boxcircuit is broken one of the spark coil circuits is closed, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a call-box circuit, of a spark-coil, a magazinecontaining cartridges, each cartridge being located in a distinctcircuit connected with the spark coil, and electro-magnetic meansinterposed between the call-box circuit and the sparkcoil circuitswhereby as the call-box is operated, the spark coil circuits may beclosed and broken.

7. The combination with a call-box circuit, of a spark-coil, a magazinecontaining cart-ridges, each magazine having a distinct circuit in whicha spark-coil is located, spring-actuated means for successively closingthe magazine circuits, means for normally locking the springactuatedmeans against movement, an electro-magnet for releasing the said lockingmeans, and a suitable connection between the said magnet, the call-boxcircuit and the spark-coil circuit,

whereby as the call-box circuit is broken, theelectromagnet circuit andthe spark-coil circuit are both closed, whereby the magnet is energizedand acts to release the said lookingdevice, simultaneously with theclosing of the cartridge circuits through the sparkcoil, thespring-actuated device serving to complete the cartridge circuitssuccessively, substantially as described.

8. Alarm mechanism comprising a cartridge magazine, a spark coil, adistinct circuit connected with the spark coil for each cart-ridge ofthe magazine, and a motoractuated device located in the spark coilcircuits for successively closing the circuits in which the cartridgesare located, substantially as described.

9. In alarm mechanism, the combination of a magazine containingcartridges, a spark coil, circuits in which the cartridges arerespectively located, each circuit being connected with the spark coil,a motor-actuated device for successively closing the circuits in whichthe cartridges are located, and means for controlling the said motorwhereby one or more cartridge circuits may be closed at a singleoperation of the motor, substantially as described.

10. The combination of a magazine containing powder-filled cartridges,electrical circuits in which the cart-ridges are located, each circuitbeing arranged to produce a t spark in contact with the powder of itscartridge, a motor-actuated device for successsively closing thecartridge circuits, means for controlling the motor wherebyapredetermined number of cartridge circuits may be closed during asingle cycle of the motor, and means for temporarily interrupting themotor, during a single cycle.

11. The combination with a magazine containing cartridges, electricalcircuits in which the cartridges are respectively located, a disk havinginsulated contacts located in the respective cartridge circuits, aspring-actuated motor, an arm connected with the said motor and locatedin each cartridge circuit, the aforesaid contacts being so arranged asto be engaged by the said arm while the latter is making a single cycle,

whereby the cart-ridge circuits are successively closed, substantiallyas described.

12. The combination of a cartridge-holding magazine, electrical circuitsin which the cartridges of the magazine are respectively located, and anelectromagnetic relay adapted to successively close a number of saidcircuits only corresponding with the number of times its magnetic coilis energized and denergized.

sively closing the cartridge circuits, and an 1;

elect-ro-magnetic relay adapted to control said motor, the motor beinglocked against movement when the magnet coil is deenergized and releasedwhen the magnet coil is energized, substantially as described.

- In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

PEABODY A. BROWN.

Witnesses A. J. OBRIEN, A. EBERT OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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